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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BRENT, v., n.², adv.¹ [brɛnt]

1. v. The pa.t. brent is a reduced form of brentit; cf. Prent for prentit.

(1) tr. and intr. To spring forward (Bnff.² 1936; Abd.⁶ 1913); to go (one's way) fearlessly.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 218:
The horse brentit oot o' ma han.Bwk. 1893 W. S. Crockett Minstrelsy of the Merse 318:
Wi' frolicksome step i' the morning bright She brent her way to the Merlingdean.

(2) “To lean forward as if attempting to get up. Used here of a child in a baby-chair leaning over the bar” (Mry.¹ 1925).

2. n. “A sudden bound or spring” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 218; Bnff.² 1936).

3. adv. With a sudden spring (Bnff.² 1936); “in a fearless or precipitate manner” (Lth., Slk. 1825 Jam.²); directly, fair and square.Abd. 1832 A. Beattie Poems 131:
Then Maggy mounted, aff she gaes Nor ever she a bridle drew, Till brent amang her hellish crew.Abd.⁷ 1925:
“He cam brent at 'im,” meaning that one attacked another without feints or subterfuge, full force.Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick xv.:
They maun aye rin brent at a thing; they haena the patience to gae roun' aboot it, an' look at it baith back an' front.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
The Germans cam brent on.